Overview of the TOEFL speaking section

You have to complete six tasks in the TOEFL iBT Speaking Section. You don’t require any special practice to do the independent tasks. You will usually be asked questions based on your knowledge and experience.

Independent Speaking Tasks

An example of an independent speaking task is: ‘What was the proudest moment of your life?’ OR ‘What are the things that really make you happy?’ Note that after you have given the topic, you will get 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 45 seconds to speak in response.

Integrated Speaking Tasks

The remaining four are integrated speaking tasks. You will have to use more than one skill to answer these types of questions.

The first two integrated speaking tasks will require you to read a short passage, listen and then speak. You will be given 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to speak. The last two integrated speaking tasks will require you to listen to a conversation or lecture and then speak in response. You will get 20 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to express it orally.

You can take notes on paper during the speaking test, but note that you won’t be able to do much writing during the 30 seconds you are given to prepare your answer. Practice the kind of questions that could be asked before you take the TOEFL test and improve your speaking and listening skills.